Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

August 9, 2021

Good morning,

The fall semester is upon us, and we are excitedly awaiting the return of our entire Marlin community. Our Emergency Response Team continues to monitor COVID-19 conditions and guidance, and we are planning for as normal of an academic year as possible.

To assist with your acclimation to campus, we've compiled a series of Frequently Asked Questions about what life will look like at VWU during the 2021-22 Academic Year. We ask that you read these FAQs closely, and keep in mind that this information is subject to change. Please check this link often to keep current on any changes in University regulations.

Thank you for your attention and adherence to these guidelines. We appreciate the efforts you are all taking to keep our campus community as safe and healthy as possible.

We finally enjoyed being able to host our annual breakfast celebrating employee milestones. The pandemic delayed the celebration of those who hit milestones from 10 to 35 years of service in 2020 and 2021. Congratulations to these members of the Virginia Wesleyan family and an extra special “thanks” for the critical part they have played in the success of the University:

35 Years

Carol Johnson (pictured)

30 Years

Elaine Dessouki

Lois Ford

Joyce Walden

Deborah Ware

25 Years

Anthony Daniels

Benjamin Dobrin

Michael Rigby

Robin Takacs

20 Years

Charline Bess

Jeffrey Bowers

Kimberly Brown

Joyce Easter

Willie Harrell ’98

B. Malcolm Lively

Tim Lockett

Daniel Margolies

Stu Minnis

Wayne Pollock

Diana Risk

Philip Rock

Lindsay Sands ’16

Jennifer Schirmer

Jason Seward ’05

Sharon Swift

Victor Townsend

John Wang

15 Years

Soraya Bartol

Richard Bond

Kent Brown

Victor Dorsey

Christine Hall

Deirdre Gonsalves-Jackson

Andrea Hoover-Erbig

Craig Jackson

Lydia Kennedy

Travis Malone

Lisa Lyon Payne

John Rudel

C.J. Sholler

Kathy Stolley

10 Years

Barbara Artis

Kala Baskerville ‘11

Nathan Boudreaux

Thomas Brown

Kristin Burney

Natalie Clark

Delicia Johnson

Audrey Malagon

Gabriela Martorell

Taryn Myers

Karla Rasmussen

Amy Rush

Michael Skipper

Congratulations to all! Read the full story and view the photo gallery.

With the new semester comes new appointments and responsibilities for the following members of our faculty and staff:

Antje Schwennicke, Assistant Professor of Political Science (pictured below, far left), will also serve as Assistant Dean of the Batten Honors College. In this role, she will work closely with Travis Malone, Dean of the Batten Honors College, in promoting and progressing the pillars of our highly selective, national niche program.

Stephen Leist (pictured second from left), has been promoted to Head Librarian. Stephen joined VWU in 2012, and we look forward to him continuing to serve VWU students and the Hofheimer Library in this new capacity.

Crit Muniz (pictured center left) has been promoted to Director of the Learning Center and Coordinator of Disability Services. He previously served as Assistant Director, with the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs directing the Center. Crit has been a valuable member of the VWU community since 2014, and I thank him for his dedication to Marlin students.

Marion Hibbler (pictured center right) has been promoted to Director of Lifelong Learning for VWU Global Campus after serving as Director of Support Services. In this role, Marion will provide leadership and support for VWU Online (credit and non-credit) and continuing education programs.

In the John A. Trinder Center for Advancement, we recently welcomed two new members to the team: Veronica Callahan (pictured second from right) and Ashley Roehrman ‘21 (pictured far right). Veronica joins VWU as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. A Norfolk native, she worked in public education for five years and is shifting gears to grow our annual giving program and strengthen alumni engagement and participation at VWU. With events once again on the horizon, Ashley returns to campus as the Coordinator of Advancement Events. Originally from Texas, she was an extremely active Marlin student, and we look forward to her applying those skills to engage Marlin alumni and friends at upcoming events like Founders Day (September 9) and Homecoming & Family Weekend (October 1-3).

ET CETERA

Over the last several years, we have seen major donor-funded technology upgrades in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center, the Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center, Beverly Hall, Hofheimer Library, Beazley Foundation Technology Center, the hub Malbon Center for Technology—both the physical location in Pruden Hall and the virtual one online—and the current renovation and upgrade of Clarke Hall. The addition of the Esports Arena in the Jane P. Batten Student Center was also donor-funded.

Now our newest, and perhaps largest, project will be transformational as we work to modernize our Colleague environment. This project is extensive, worthwhile, and impacts everyone in the Marlin community. Overall, there are an incredible 45 faculty and staff members working collaboratively with Ellucian migration experts and subject matter experts in order to make this project a success.

Thank you to Greg Skinner, Chief Information Officer, for his outstanding leadership since arriving at Virginia Wesleyan. He has led the Malbon Center for Technology into a new era. We are both excited and grateful to him and his team for the many opportunities this new chapter will bring.

I’d also like to thank the donors that have provided significant funding in this area, especially John Malbon, our current Board Chair, The Pruden Family Foundation, and The Beazley Foundation. This area has been under-resourced for many, many years and their support has been transformational and sets the stage for the future.

I also express my gratitude to the many campus community members involved for making this project a priority. With continued teamwork and dedication to the success of this project, we will make VWU a contemporary campus committed to providing excellent customer service to all constituency groups.

Earlier this month, VWU introduced a new way to order textbooks through our new partner Akademos. As a best-in-class online college bookstore and course materials solution provider, Akademos makes multiple formats, delivery options, and subscription-based materials available through a personalized, efficient and cost-effective manner with 24x7x365 accessibility. Students should review their registered courses and assigned materials today at vwu.textbookx.com.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Shared Waters: An Upstream-Downstream Collaborative

Last week, members of the administration and faculty of Norfolk Collegiate came to VWU for a training session on our new joint program, Shared Waters: An Upstream-Downstream Collaborative. The program is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) as part of the Chesapeake Bay-Watershed Education and Training program. Kudos to Bill McConnell, VWU Associate Professor of Education (pictured center) for his help in securing this worthwhile opportunity along with our partners upstream, Millersville University in Pennsylvania.

As we work to enhance watershed education, the Virginia General Assembly meets this week to decide what to do with funds from the American Rescue Plan. Environmental groups are urging our state’s government to use some of the funds to further efforts in cleaning the Chesapeake Bay. Read more in the Daily Press.

Wesleyan Wednesday is Back!

Everyone's favorite summertime gathering is back at Ballyhoos on Wednesday, August 25 from 5-7 p.m. We'll have appetizers and drink specials for Marlins and their guests. Faculty, staff, alumni, and their families are all invited. Support the community by bringing non-perishable canned goods with you to help Marlins Athletics win a conference-wide competition. We hope to see you there!

Neil Britton Gallery Fall Exhibition Announcement

The Neil Britton Gallery is proud to present “Journeys in Art, Music, and Folklore” by Margo Newmark Rosenbaum and Art Rosenbaum from August 23-December 7. The exhibition will feature large scale paintings, photographs and drawings that reflect on decades of travel to play and document American Roots Music.

The Neil Britton Gallery and the new adjacent Barclay Sheaks Gallery are located on the first floor of Hofheimer Library. Both are open to the public during regular library hours.

Retirement Celebration for Coach Drake

We celebrated Richard Drake, longtime track and field coach and supporter of VWU and Granby High School, with a luncheon on campus last Tuesday. Coach Drake served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Marlins for over a decade. He is retiring at 94 years young and will be moving to Richmond. A plaque celebrating his illustrious career is displayed at the entrance of the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center.

Construction Updates

Clarke Hall: Progress continues in Clarke Hall thanks to a workforce development program grant. Crews are working to install new carpeting, lighting and technology in classrooms and shared spaces to better meet the needs of VWU students. Improvements also include aesthetic upgrades as well as new technology and the renovation of the first floor suite off the O’Rourke Lobby to include business faculty offices. Clarke Hall is named in memory of Lambuth Clarke, second president of Virginia Wesleyan (1966-92).

DeFord Manor: Construction is progressing on schedule for a November completion of DeFord Manor. With external brick work completed last week, crews have moved inside to begin drywalling. Chesapeake Bay Contractors have also returned to do external stormwater drain systems, earth grading, and preparation work for the driveway. Hoy Construction serves as the contractor, and Tymoff + Moss are the architects. DeFord Manor is named in honor of Trustee Emeritus Robert DeFord and his wife, Trustee Nancy DeFord. A dedication is planned for February.

Brock Commons: Construction has finally started on the new Brock Commons addition that connects the Boyd Dining Center and Jane P. Batten Student Center. The project has been delayed while awaiting City of Virginia Beach approvals and material shortages caused by the pandemic. Hourigan serves as the contractor, and Tymoff + Moss are the architects. This is the final part of a comprehensive three-phase renovation of the dining facilities over the past two years. Brock Commons is named in honor of long-time VWU Trustee Emerita and benefactor Joan P. Brock.

Updates in Blocker Hall: Kudos to the faculty and staff committee for the hallway updates in Blocker Hall. Dated items were removed and replaced with 64 new, colored “action” photos of faculty and students from Blocker-themed disciplines. Special thanks to Sue Larkin, Travis Malone, Loren Marquez, Jason Seward, Stephanie Smaglo and Christine Hall. Blocker Hall was constructed through the generosity of Frank Blocker, Jr., and is named after his parents the late S. Frank Blocker, Sr. and Wilma Williamson Blocker

Kiln Shop in Susan Beverly Hall: R.D. Lambert & Son Construction has finished the roof, including venting, on the new kiln shop. The chimney is the only remaining item needed for completion of the Beverly Hall project. We look forward to the dedication of Beverly Hall in September. Beverly Hall is named after Susan Beverly, Class of 1972, Trustee Emeritus, and generous benefactor.

Malbon Center for Technology: With the relocation of the Outreach Office to the Kaufman Center for Enrollment, renovation has occurred to the former space to accommodate growth in the informational technology area. A new entry, two new offices and a conference room (pictured) have been added to the former Outreach Office calling area. The Malbon Center is named after John Malbon, generous benefactor and Chair of the VWU Board of Trustees.

Women’s Locker Room in the Trinder Center/Foster Field: A renovation, expansion and modern upgrade is occurring for the facility, funded by the facility’s namesake. The public restrooms adjacent to the locker room will also receive upgrades before the start of the fall soccer season. The Trinder Center is named after John Trinder, generous benefactor and Trustee Emeritus of VWU.

Greater Norfolk Corporation Board of Directors Monthly Meeting

I always enjoy the monthly meeting of the Greater Norfolk Corporation Board of Directors. Because of concern about spacing protocols, the meeting returned to a virtual format for August after in-person meetings earlier in the summer.

The highlight of the meeting was an extensive presentation on the new Assembly in downtown Norfolk. Virginia Wesleyan University MBA graduate Hunter Walsh is Program Manager for 757 Start Up Studios, located in the facility. Other presentations included Drew Ungvarsky, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of GROW; Monique Adams, Executive Director of 757 Collab & 757 Angels; and Evans McMillion, Executive Director of 757 Accelerate.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

The Pharos

REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

University Business